The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-08
THE GRAPE-CREEK LOCKOUT
Up to Date It Has Cost the Federated
Association of Miners $4,000.
It's Bearing Upon Another Advance of Five
Cents Expected in Observation-Disclosures
of an Eight-Hours' Work Resolution.

The convention of the Federated Association
of Mines and Mine Laborers was continued yes
terday, the principal consideration being con-
fined to series of resolutions relative to the
lock out of miners in the Grape Creek. Illinois,
region. At the joint convention of miners and
operators ne]d in Columbus, O., in February,
last year. the Grape Creek operators took an
active part, but afterwards declined to pay the
schedule of prices then adopted. The miners. it
is claimed, proposed to submit the question to
arbitration, but this was declined. lockout
followed, and for sixteen months the miners
have been assisted by the Illinois Association.
Delegate Mclaughlin told the convention yes
terday, that this assistance had cost the associa-
ton So 900, as hundred families were depend
ing upon it. The association bought the locked
out miners four of coal land, erected
houses, established commlssary store and sunk
a shaft for the benefit of the sufferers from the
lockout. They are mining considerable coal on
their account, but in the meantime the
Grape Creek operators are using cheap labor.
This is one of the few exception where the fed
GRAFTON and operators are not working harmoni-
ously. If the schedule is paid by the Grape
Creek operators before November the miners
throughout the bitunipous region will have the
benefit Of another advance of five cents per ton.
If they maintain the present situation, the ad-
vance will be withheld by other operators who
are willing pay it; but the miners say. to COM
pei them to carry out the agreement when the
Grape Greek operators are paying wages less
than the present schedule, would be an injustice.
1t would, besides. give the Grape Creek opera
tors advantage, and to avoid that the FEEDER
ated miners are wi ling to continue work with
out the additional No vember increase of five
cents per ton.
fha nf 6iscu
the preamble and resolutions which were finally
adopted by unanimous vote. The preamble
recited the of the lock out and the position
taken by the Grape Creek operators after they
had participated in the convention when the
agreement as the present advance and that
fixed for November adopted. The first res
olution committed the Federation TO an express
sion of detestation of the treachery of the Grape
Creek operators and of admiration and approval
of the conduct of the miners. 1t also pledged
the organization TO use every legitimate means
at it's disposal ito defeat the ungentlemanly and
unholy object of the operators and crown with
success the noble and immutable efforts of the
men," The second resolution appealed to every
honest miner, whether he belonged to any or
ganization not. to keep away from Grape
Federation looked upon every man who aids the
Grape Creek operators in their diabolical work
blacklee of the deepest dye"
In the report of the Federations treasurer.
Daniel Mclaughlin it was shown that 81 1873 81
had been received the per capita tax 81. S11 3S
as the defense fund, while 80 came from
miscellaneous sources, giving total of So, 4S6 II
OF this sum So. 466. IL had been expended. The
paying members during the last year numbered
&c, 5S4. but if the delinquents counted the
total mem bership of the Federation is
fifty Thousand.
Among the resolutions adopted was urg-
ing the strict enforcement of the mining laws in
every State and Territory where they exist, and
the passage of necessary laws where none are in
the statute books to prevent the employment OF
children of tender age in the mines and to pro-
tect the lives and health of miners. Other reso-
lutions that were unanimously passed were those
pledgine the convention it's untring
efforts to reduce the hours of labor in and around
the mines to eight hours Per day. with a half /
holiday Saturday: TO that the semi
mt thly pay laws are enforced, and to urge fell
low craftsmen, in States where such laws do not
exist. to refuse to support any candidate for the
Legislature who will not pledge his assistance in
having such measures enacted
The afternoon session was brief, the COM
mittees desired to have more time in consider
ing the questions that had been referred to |
them. A proposition to create national pres
ideDt for the federation discussed, but it |
found favor only from a small minority, fully
three-fourths of the delegates being opposed to |
it The same fate attended the resolution re- |
latng to the making of one Office for the
tary and treasurer. resolution to increase the |
per capita also voted down. The con- |
vention will resume its sessions this morning, |
with the hope of completing its business by to- |
M